Historical drama hailed ‘one of the best ever’ is on the BBC | Films | Entertainment
A Tudor period drama that has enchanted audiences for more than six decades and been described as “impeccable” is now streaming on BBC iPlayer. Released in 1966, the historical drama chronicles the final years of Sir Thomas More, who is sentenced to death for his refusal to recognise King Henry VIII as supreme head of the Church of England.
The narrative centres on Sir Thomas More (portrayed by Paul Scofield) as he declines to persuade the Pope to annul King Henry VIII’s (portrayed by Robert Shaw) marriage to his Spanish wife Catherine of Aragon. The story charts More’s confrontations with the monarch as tensions escalate.
A committed Catholic, More adheres to his faith and seeks to depart the Royal court. However, the King and his supporters are not appeased by this decision, and pursue him with serious accusations of treason.
Featuring Paul Scofield, Leo McKern, Robert Shaw, Orson Welles and Susannah York, the production secured six Academy Awards, including Best Director for Fred Zinnemann, alongside accolades for acting, costume design and colour cinematography.
Running for over two hours and adapted from a stage play, A Man for All Seasons has garnered acclaim from film enthusiasts, achieving an 89% rating on the film website Rotten Tomatoes. On the platform, one reviewer enthused: “This is a great piece of work; endlessly captivating and with a very strong cast. Paul Scofield is brilliant but the real fun – and menace – in the film comes from Robert Shaw as a lively and very dangerous Henry VIII.”
Another contributor remarked: “This is one of the best Christian and historical films out there. About the great English Catholic and arguably the greatest legal mind this country ever produced, Saint Thomas Moore.”
A third observer noted: “Like Miller’s The Crucible, it will never not be relevant. Paul Scofield is marvelous, to be sure, but I still think that it’s Shaw’s portrayal of Henry VIII that is the real standout here.”
One viewer commented: “Scofield’s excellent delivery and dry wit distinguish him even from the solid cast that supported him, and it’s very much lamentable that his decision to prioritise his stage career has robbed us of other solid performances.”
They continued: “Despite the heavy focus on dialogue and lack of grandiose set pieces that may have come to be seen as necessary in the modern age to preserve popular appreciation for period pieces, A Man for All Seasons is engaging and enjoyable; the depiction of the lone individual against the collective is hardly original, but still compelling when done well.”
A fifth viewer declared: “Impeccable casting, provocative story line, great direction and editing, mesmerising photography, gorgeous costumes all make for a perfect film.
“Have seen every 10 years since released and always find something new to appreciate and remember. Scofield and Shaw well-deserved their Oscars as does the film.”
A Man for All Seasons is now available on BBC iPlayer.
